Winnie the Pooh
This year marks the 100th anniversary since the publication of ‘Winnie
the Pooh’ by A. A. Milne on 14 October 1926. To commemorate this event,
Royal Mail have today issued a new set of stamps and associated
collectibles celebrating the beloved, silly old bear, Winnie the
Pooh.
A set of six stamps features each of the beloved characters in colour
with their signatures in gold. The illustration style is that of E.H.
Shepard that many will be familiar with before Pooh received his iconic
red shirt. There are six 1st class stamps in the set, Winnie the Pooh,
Piglet, Owl, Eeyore, Pooh & Christopher Robin and Tiger.
In addition to the set of stamps and other collectibles, full details
of which can be found on the Royal Mail website, Royal Mail have issued a
new smilers/collector sheet featuring 10 x 1st class stamps and labels
with some of the new stamps duplicated on the sheet.
GS-192
We have produced a small number of First Day covers
featuring the stamps and labels from this latest collector sheet and both
the sheet and first day covers are available to buy from our new web shop,
details of which are included below. They are also listed in our eBay shop
but as an experiment we have included links to our new webstore at www.ridgewoodstamps.com
and if you would like to visit the new webstore or buy these collectibles
then just click on the images above to go to the relevant page. (14/10)
RidgewoodStamps.com - We
have a new webstore!
We are pleased to announce the arrival of our new webstore at www.ridgewoodstamps.com.
Currently it replicates our eBay listings with a few extras thrown in
for good measure, and not all functions are up
and running - it's still "work in progress". We are planning to
expand our listing and offer a broader range of items from stock than we
can do through eBay. Frankly I am not sure of how well it will be received
but I would be delighted for your feedback and/or welcome you to the site
and, if you feel inclined, please register an account and look out for
many more interesting items to be listed there in the weeks and months
ahead. (18/09)
Duran Duran
The 70's pop group Duran Duran are the latest band to be given the
Music Giants treatment by Royal Mail with a special issue of stamps issued
on 17th September 2026. An interesting fact: did you know that the band
derived their name from the villainous character Dr. Durand Durand, a mad
scientist played by actor Milo O'Shea in the 1968 cult science fiction
film Barbarella. But enough of that...
Whilst this issue includes all the stamps, mini sheets, presentation
packs, booklets, first day covers and other collectibles normally
associated with Royal Mail's pop culture issue, it also includes a new
collector sheet which will, no doubt, be of interest to sheet collectors
and pop enthusiasts alike! Unusually, however for Royal Mail, the stamp
sheet has been printed on water-activated gummed paper and not on
self-adhesive backed paper.
GS-191
We have again produced a small quantity of First Day
covers featuring the stamps and labels from this collector sheet and both
the sheet and first day covers are available to buy from our ebay
shop. As usual, just click on the images above to go to the relevant
ebay page. (15/09)
Military Jet Aircraft
The latest special stamps from Royal Mail, feature Military Jet
Aircraft and were issued on 30th July 2026. The stamp issue
comprises 8 x 1st class stamps celebrating some of the British military’s
most iconic jet aircraft. The accompanying mini sheet is a commemoration
of Sir Frank Whittle and the development of the jet propulsion
engine. This year marks 50 years since the Hawker Siddeley Hawk
entered service in 1976, 70 years since the Gloster Javelin and Avro
Vulcan entered service in 1956, and 80 years since the de Havilland
Vampire first entered service in 1946. This year is also 30 years since
the death of Sir Frank Whittle (1 June 1907 – 8 August 1996) an English
engineer, inventor and Royal Air Force officer who is credited with
co-creating the jet propulsion engine.
The set of eight new stamps and mini sheet are accompanied
by first day Covers for both the set of stamps and the mini sheet, a Mini
Sheet medal cover including a specially minted silver-plated copper
commemorative medal. Also included in this issue is a
presentation pack, a printer's sheet, a limited edition fan sheet and a Collector
Sheet featuring 10 x 1st class stamps which showcases the stunning
illustrations of the set of 8 stamps, plus 2 each of the Glostor Meteor
and De Haveland Vampire. The ten stamps are paired with photographs of the
aircraft in flight against a backdrop of a Glostor Javelin FAW7 in flight.
GS-190
We have produced a limited number of First Day Covers
featuring the stamps and labels featured on this Collector Ssheet. Both the
Collector Sheet and the pair of first day covers are
available to buy through our eBay shop, just click on any of the above
images to visit our eBay shop if interested. (02/08)
Castles
Closely following on the heels of the Morecambe and Wise collector
sheet is one featuring Castles! No not the Roy Castle kind - ask your Dad
if you don't know who this was - but rather some of Britain's iconic
fortresses from another age. Across the extent of the British Isles, our
landscape is studded with castles, great and small. Some survive as houses
or visitor attractions, others as ruins, earthworks or just shadows traced
in the lines and names of streets in 21st-century cities and towns. Today,
castles are objects of curiosity, but for centuries these buildings were
great monuments at the heart of political, social and economic life.
Royal Mail will issue a set of 8 new stamps on 21st May 2026 featuring
some of Britain's best known iconic Castles and this issue will also
include a mini sheet featuring an addition 4 stamps, first day covers, a
presentation pack, a printer's sheet and of particular interest to sheet
collectors will be another Castle themed Collector Sheet.
This stamp set features photography of eight castles, from all four
nations of the UK, dating from the Norman period onwards. The Miniature
Sheet of four stamps celebrates four ‘Royal’ castles. These designs
feature newly commissioned artworks by the British artist, Rob Ball.
GS-189
We have again produced a limited number of First Day Covers
featuring the stamps and labels featured on this sheet. Both the sheet and the pair of covers are
available to buy through our eBay shop, just click on any of the above
images to visit our eBay shop if interested. (15/05)
Morecambe and Wise Tribute
In the week that Eric Morecambe would have turned 100, Royal Mail have
issued a Collector Sheet celebrating the best of Britain in the guise of
Morecambe and Wise. Available from 14th May 2026, the Morecambe & Wise
collector sheet celebrates one of Britain’s most iconic comedy double
act, celebrated for their work in variety, radio, film and especially
television. They met in 1939 while working for impresario Jack Hylton and
soon toured together in Youth Takes a Bow, forming a close friendship.
Encouraged by Eric’s mother, they debuted as a double act in 1941, later
adopting the name Morecambe & Wise.
After years perfecting their act on the variety circuit, they launched
their first BBC series, Running Wild, in 1954. Their breakthrough came in
the 1960s with ATV’s The Morecambe & Wise Show/Two of a Kind,
followed by three feature films. In 1968 they moved to the BBC, where,
alongside writer Eddie Braben, they created nine hugely popular series and
legendary Christmas Specials, peaking at a record 28 million viewers in
1977. Stars such as The Beatles, Glenda Jackson and André Previn queued
to appear.
GS-188
We have produced a limited number of First Day Covers
featuring the stamps and labels featured on this sheet, and because of the
absence of a special hand-stamp for this issue, we have arranged for these
to be cancelled with the permanent hand stamp for Leeds, dated 14th May
2026, the birthplace of Ernie Wise. Sadly, we could not find a suitable
one for Eric Morecambe! Both the sheet and the pair of covers are
available to buy through our eBay shop, just click on any of the above
images to visit our eBay shop if interested. (15/05)
Centenary of the birth of Queen Elizabeth II
2026 marks the centenary of the birth of Queen Elizabeth II, on 21
April. Born in 1926 in the aftermath of the First World War, Queen
Elizabeth II would go on to reign from 1952 until her passing, aged 96, in
September 2022 – she was the longest-reigning and longest-lived monarch
in British history. Royal Mail is celebrating the life and work of Queen
Elizabeth II with a set of eight stamps that feature a selection of
carefully curated photographs taken throughout her lifetime. A separate
Miniature Sheet of four stamps reflects Queen Elizabeth II’s lifelong
love of animals.
A collectors sheet is also being released, containing all 8 stamps from
the stamp set with attached accompanying labels featuring carefully
curated photography matching the time period of the paired stamp. The
stamps and labels sit on a background of the official “100”
logo.
GS-187
This sheet is available to purchase from our eBay store and
we have also produced a pair of first day covers featruring the
stamps/labels from this sheet. Please click on either of the images above
to find the relevant webspage at our eBay shop. (15/04)
The Lord of the Rings
Due out on 20th March 2026 is the latest blockbuster release from Royal
Mail marks the 25th Anniversary of the first Lord of the Rings film,
released in 2001. Can it really be 25 years since sine the like of Bilbo
Baggins, Frodo, Gollum, Gandolf, Pippin, Merry and the rest of the crew
exploded on our screens in Lord of the Rings : The Fellowship of the Ring
- the first instalment of a multi-Oscar-winning movie trilogy by New
Zealand director Peter Jackson, based on the novels by JRR Tolkien.
Continued in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and The Lord of the
Rings: The Return of the King, the story is set in the realm of
Middle-earth, telling of an epic quest to destroy a magic Ring of great
power, forged by the Dark Lord Sauron in the fires of Mount Doom.
The eight new stamps depict montages from the film
trilogy. Each stamp celebrates iconic characters from the three
films. British Actors from the epic featured are Orlando Bloom as Legolas,
Ian McKellan as Gandalf, Dominic Monaghan as Merry, Billy Boyd as Pippin
and Christopher Lee as Saruman. This stunning imagery also has a secret UV
layer revealed using a UV light, Elvish writing in a circle appears on
each stamp. Fans will recognise this as the writing on the One Ring. In
the first film, The Fellowship of the Ring, Frodo throws the ring into a
fire and writing appears. The writing on the One Ring is in the Black
Speech of Mordor but is written in Tengwar, an Elvish script. The
inscription translates to the famous line: "One Ring to rule them
all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all, and in the
darkness bind them".
A minisheet will also be issued featuring a further four new stamps set
against a backdrop of a map of Middle Earth From The Shire where
Frodo’s journey begins, all the way through to Mount Doom where he must
throw in the Ring that will destroy it.
No such blockbuster issue would be complete without a
self-adhesive smilers/collector sheet and this issue is no exception.
Featuring all new eight stamps paired with additional imagery from the
film on the corresponding labels on a background featuring the striking
image of the One Ring. The Collector Sheet is printed with self-adhesive
gum and lithography, which is different from the set of stamps which were
printed with PVA Gum and lithography.
GS-186
The sheet is available to purchase from our eBay store and
we have also produced a pair of first day covers featruring the
stamps/labels from this sheet. Please click on either of the images above
to find the relevant webspage at our eBay shop. (13/03)
Another Fake Smiler Sheet Identified!
Last year we reported on a number of fake Smilers sheets which had been
identified and suspected of coming from China. Recently we received
an e-mail from a long-time contributor to this column suggesting that
another fake sheet was being sold on eBay.
The sheet in question is the Smilers 2015 sheet (GD-095).
On first pass the sheets look pretty much identical and I
can understand why most folks could be taken in by these fakes. A closer
look reveals similar tell-tale signs confirming to me at least that these
are suspected Chinese fakes. The back of the sheet is bright white
compared to the dull cream of the originals. Also another clear identifier
is the width of the phosphor bands - on the original there are 2 x 4.5mm
bands with fuzzy edges and on the fakes there are 2 x 6mm bands with sharp
edges.
eBay seller Jasonleeme is selling packs of 100 of these
sheets for £516 a pack a mere £5.16 per sheet. Other eBay sellers are
offering these sheets between £0.99 (auction) to a buy-it-now price of
£84 - you don't have to be a rocket scientist to work out which ones are
potentially fake! (12/03)
-
Roses Issue
Royal Mail issued a set of 10 new stamps on 27th February 2026
celebrating the beauty and heritage of roses in the UK. Roses are among
the world’s most beloved flowers, admired for their colour and
fragrance. Roses also hold a symbolic place in British history—the Tudor
Rose remains an enduring emblem of England. The UK is home to more than a
dozen wild species, and cultivated varieties have flourished for over four
millennia.
This issue marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of David Austin OBE
(1926–2018), the pioneering British breeder whose creations transformed
modern rose cultivation. Featuring ten exquisite watercolour illustrations
of different rose breeds, this collection honours both wild and garden
roses—a tribute to beauty, tradition, and horticultural artistry.
Each of the 10 stamps features a brand-new watercolour painting created
exclusively for Royal Mail by acclaimed botanical artist Marie Burke.
Showcases a stunning selection of rose varieties, from delicate wild
species to classic garden favourites, in vibrant detail. Every stamp
captures the unique colour, form, and character of its rose breed, making
this set a true work of art. The set of stamps comprise 5 x 2nd
Class and 5 x 1st Class stamps.
This latest Royal Mail issue also includes a new collector
sheet featuring original watercolour paintings printed in self-adhesive
format. Alongside each stamp is a beautiful photograph of the
corresponding rose variety. The stamps and photographs are set against a
stunning floral background on the sheet Note: The Collector Sheet is
printed in Self-adhesive, whilst the set of stamps are PVA gum, therefore
these stamps are a print variety.
GS-185
The sheet is available to purchase from our eBay store and
we have also produced a pair of first day covers featruring the stamps/labels
from this sheet. Please click on either of the images above to find the
relevant webspage at our eBay shop. (07/03)
Concorde 50th Anniversary of First Commercial Flights
On 21st January 1976, Concorde flew simultaneous flights from Heathrow
to Bahrain by British Airways and from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Rio by
Air France, with each aircraft taking off from Heathrow and Paris at
precisely the same time 11.40am. The supersonic plane became the icon of
the 1970s with an aim to beat the barriers of time and space and to
connect a much smaller, faster and globalized world. Those passengers were
the first to see the curvature of the Earth below them and the sky turning
from blue to black above.
Fifty years on and Concorde remains a technical marvel and a much-loved
icon of civil aviation. To mark this schievement Royal Mail has
today, 21st January 2026, issued a set of 8 x new 1st class stamps
featuring stunning photography of the aircraft throughout its history
including its first and last commercial flights. In addition a
mini-sheet reprises the iconic British stamp issue from 1969
originally commissioned for the 1969 ‘First Flight of Concorde’ issue.
Also included in the list of collectibles released by
Royal Mail to mark this anniversary is a Collector Sheet featuring all 8
new stamp designs rom the Concorde issue alongside labels with additional
imagery all set on top of the striking image of 4 of the aircrafts in the
air. This image was taken on Christmas Eve, 1985, when British Airways
organized a unique formation flight with four Concorde aircraft to
celebrate 10 years of passenger service. The Collector Sheet is printed
with self-adhesive gum and lithography, which is different from the set of
stamps which were printed with PVA Gum and lithograph.
GS-184
The sheet is available to purchase from our eBay store as
usual as are a pair of first day covers prepared using the stamps/labels
from this sheet. Please click on either of the images above to find the
relevant webspage at our eBay shop. (21/01)
Stranger Things
A Happy New Year to all our readers!
On 13th January 2026, Royal Mail are issuing a set of ten Mint stamps
and a Miniature Sheet of four stamps to celebrate the 10th anniversary of
the critically acclaimed science-fiction horror series, ‘Stranger Things’.
Set in the 1980s, the series centres around the residents of the fictional
small town of Hawkins, Indiana, who are plagued by a hostile alternate
dimension known as the Upside Down. Since the series was first released on
Netflix on 15 July 2016, it has attracted a record viewership and a global
fanbase, winning numerous awards across the entertainment industry.
Praised for its characterisation, atmosphere, writing, soundtrack, and
acting - with an ensemble cast including British actors in leading roles,
the fifth and final series aired in November 2025. Royal Mail has worked
with the British artist, Kyle Lambert, who has created bespoke
illustrations for the stamp issue.
In addition to the plethora of Stanger Things collectible
goodies under offer from Royal Mail, too numerous to mention here, there
is a new collector sheet on offer featruing the 10 x 1st class stamps.
GS-183
The Stranger Things collector Sheet containing all 10
stamps from the stamp set and accompanying labels featuring iconic moments
from across the series. The background depicts the night sky in Hawkins
with the iconic blue vs red (the upside down vs the right side up). The
Collector Sheet is printed with self-adhesive gum and lithography, which
is different from the set of stamps which were printed with PVA Gum and
lithography. To purchase either the collector sheet or pair of First Day
Covers, as usual just click on either of the images above/below to
redirect to our eBay shop. (06/01)
Royal Mail Stamp Programme 2026
As last year, Royal Mail have only released partial details of the
stamp issues planned for 2026. The following details are available
from their website. Update: April 2026 - details of remainder
of planned issues were released to the public. Issues with potential
interest for Smilers Sheet collectors during second half of 2026 are a
guess at best! (04/26)
| Stamp Issue |
Date of Issue |
| Stranger Things |
13-Jan-26 |
| Concorde |
21-Jan-26 |
| Hornby Model Railways |
19-Feb-26 |
| Roses |
26-Feb-26 |
| The Lord of the RIngs |
20-Mar-26 |
| Centenary of the Birth of
Queen Elizabeth II |
21-Apr-26 |
| Celebrating
Britain : Morecombe & Wise |
14-May-25 |
| Castles |
21-May-25 |
| Waterfalls of the United
Kingdom |
23-Jun-25 |
| Moths |
9-Jul-26 |
| Jet Aircraft |
30-Jul-26 |
| Pets |
20-Aug-26 |
| Music Giants XII:
Duran Duran |
17-Sep-26 |
| Winnie the Pooh |
14-Oct-26 |
| Christmas 2026 |
3-Nov-26 |
| Remembrance |
11-Nov-26 |
| Football Giants:
Season 1 |
01-Dec-26 |
The issues highlighted in red are those with interest/potential interest for
Smilers / Collector Sheet Collectors. (Updated 08/26)
2025 News Archive
I have now archived the 2025 Smilers News and
you may now download this in Adobe Acrobat .pdf format by clicking on the
above link. Keep Smiling in 2026!
I have also updated details of all generic, collector, themed and
business customised stamp sheets issued during 2025 and hopefully have not
made too many mistakes! You can find these updated listed under the New
Issues menu item at top left. (06/01)
